7 Money Borrowing Apps for Quick Cash Needs
Need quick cash to hold you over till payday? Money-borrowing apps might feel like a lifesaver. They’re easy to find, work for most financial situations, and can get you that cash in no time.
But don’t let the convenience fool you—these apps come with costs, and if you lean on them too much, they can drag you deeper into money trouble.
Before diving in, do the math, size up the good and the bad, and figure out if it’s really the right move for your wallet.
Best Money Borrowing Apps You Should Try
These apps are like your backup plan for those "oh no" moments when you need money fast. Whether it's a surprise bill or something else that caught you off guard, they’re there to throw you a lifeline with quick cash.
Albert
Albert’s got your back when you’re short on cash, offering up to $250 to float you till payday. No credit checks, no interest, no late fees—even if you're running behind on paying it back.
Pretty chill, right? The catch? If you want that money ASAP, there’s a fee. Otherwise, you’ll be waiting three to seven days for it to hit your account.
Brigit
Brigit’s another option when you’re strapped for cash, offering up to $250 without digging into your credit. No interest, no sneaky fees—just a straight-up cash advance.
Plus, they throw in extras like identity theft protection and some handy financial tools to help you get your money game in check. The downsides? If you need same-day cash, you better act fast, and the instant cash perk only comes if you’re cool with paying a monthly membership fee.
Chime
Chime’s like your digital wallet upgrade. It hooks you up with paycheck advances, fee-free banking, and tools that make money stuff easier. Their SpotMe feature lets you get paid early or spend up to $200 more than you’ve got without those annoying overdraft fees.
The catch? You’ll need to set up direct deposits to a Chime account, and you gotta bring in at least $200 a month to keep the perks rolling.
Dave
Dave’s got a little extra going on compared to most cash advance apps. You can snag up to $500 with their ExtraCash feature, and it lands straight on your Dave Debit Mastercard.
No interest, no late fees, and applying is a breeze. What’s the catch? There’s a monthly membership fee, and if you’re in a hurry or need to send the cash elsewhere, those transfer fees will sneak up on you.
MoneyLion
MoneyLion’s all about being your one-stop money app. They’ll spot you up to $500 interest-free, no credit check, no strings—just quick cash when you need it.
You might even see the money in minutes if you’re approved. The catch? You’ll have to link your bank account, and if you want that cash right away, expect to cough up an instant delivery fee.
Possible Finance
Possible Finance gives you a shot at borrowing up to $500 and spreading the payback over four installments in eight weeks. You’ll pay some interest, but they won’t ding you with late fees if you’re running behind.
Bonus points: they report to Experian and TransUnion, so it could help your credit. Downside? Those interest rates aren’t exactly friendly.
Alternatives to Money Borrowing Apps
If these apps aren’t really cutting it for you, no big deal—there are other ways to get the cash you need. Might be time to check out a few alternatives and see what clicks.
Credit union loans
If you’re tight with a credit union, you might score a small personal loan. They usually hook you up with decent interest rates and give you up to a year to pay it back.
Yeah, they’ll probably peek at your credit, but a less-than-stellar score isn’t always a dealbreaker—your solid banking history could still get you the green light.
Small personal loans
Online lenders might be worth a look if you need a small personal loan. Some of them specialize in loans for folks with less-than-perfect credit, so you don’t have to stress about your score. Sure, the interest might be a little higher, but at least they cap it at 36 percent.
Loans from a relative or friend
If you're cool with it, borrowing from a friend or family member can be a solid option. Just make sure to get the details down in writing so there’s no room for confusion later on. And, of course, don’t forget to pay them back on time—nothing’s worse than messing up a relationship over money.
Earn extra cash
If you’ve got some free time, picking up a side hustle or working overtime can help you stack some extra cash. If your current job doesn’t offer that, you could always try ridesharing, food delivery, babysitting, or any other gigs that don’t cost much to get started.
Are Cash Apps Considered Payday Lenders?
Cash apps might work like payday loans, but they’re not in the same category. Payday loans usually hit you with way higher interest rates and fees. If cash apps aren’t your thing, you could check out earned wage access (EWA) services like DailyPay.
These let you get your paycheck early, straight from your employer—though, like cash apps, there’s usually a fee for that quick cash.